Crescent City Woman Accused of Stealing Vessel While Owner Was Asleep Aboard
CRESCENT CITY, CA — A Del Norte County woman was arrested late last month for allegedly stealing a man’s vessel while he was sleeping aboard.
According to a press release by the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the Crescent City Harbor just after midnight on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, to investigate a report of a stolen vessel.
The owner reported that he’d awakened to find the vessel moving into the open ocean and discovered a woman he did not know operating it, authorities said.
The owner was reportedly able to regain control of the vessel after it collided with the dock and return it to Dock C. Deputies responded and detained the woman, identified as Stacey Nelson, 44.
Nelson was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, operating a vessel without the owner’s permission, and grand theft, according to the sheriff’s office.
